Advantages: Well written, based on legends and myths but also plausible.
Disadvantages: A bit slow-paced.

...I originally picked up this book never having heard of Mary Stewart or her highly popular Merlin trilogy. Needless to say I soon found out about it. This was a very enjoyable read and held my interest throughout as it starts with Merlin's childhood and gives him a more fleshed out background. There is a bit of a difference to this book in that King Arthur is not in it - the novel ends with his conception. Stewart holds the focus squarely on Merlin and gives us a character that is more than just magical myth. Of course Stewart's character is based on conjecture and legend but it definitely gives a more grounded version of Merlin and also of him as more than King Arthur's magician. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel but it was a bit slow-paced and didn't always command attention. It did however hold my interest and made me want to read... Read review

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Advantages: Price and service
Disadvantages: None to date

...I have used Merlin cycles for over 10 years and have always found their mail order service to be excellent. Goods products always at competitive prices. My first contact with Merlin was when I need ed some wheels, following a good review in MBUK I took the plunge and purchased a set and have never looked back since. Although they now mainly do their business throught their website you can still give them a call for any advice you may need or to check on delivery, something that seems to be missing in this new email world. Customer service with goods prices what more could you want. If you go up to the Lake District like me occasionally why not call in to their shop and see before you buy.... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent Direction fantastic for children and adults alike. Great animation
Disadvantages: None really

...worried about his son leaving for school, we begin to understand that because of the incident with the shark he has become over protective of his son and is causing a drift between them. As nemo sets off to school his father Merlin is shocked to hear that they are taking his son to the Drop off, where the Corel meets the ocean. Merlin is worried and Nemo ends up swimming out to the sea in anger only to be captured by Humans. Nemo is taken to a dentists fish tank where we meet an array of new characters, while his father remains distraught and confident that he can find his son in the ocean depths. As Merlin begins his adventure we are introduced to another character called Dory. Dory wants to help Merlin find his son, as she can speak and understand English aswell as whale (!?!) however she also suffers from short term memory loss and we begin... Read review

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Advantages: Great storyline, easy to play. Lasts a long time.
Disadvantages: Hard to find nowadays.

...Young Merlin for the SNES is now rather outdated, and i'm not sure if it's still being sold anymore. The basic plot involves you starring as a young version of Merlin, who has to rescue his girlfriend and learn a whole load of tricks on the way. Gameplay itself is fairly easy to pick up. The controls are all displayed on screen, and it's difficult to do things wrong. However, it is, unlike most modern games, fairly easy to die, so be warned. The game is quite difficult - not for the average player. It takes a long time to finish this game (with no help guides) and it is great to play again, making it last a long time. There are some great original ideas too - such as a mine cart rollercoaster ride and the aspect of earning new skills through collecting gems. Sound is mainly just relevant noises and a constant background tune... Read review

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Advantages: fabulous story with lots of magic as only Disney can do
Disadvantages: the end seems a bit rushed

...in medieval times and the king dies without an heir and as no one has managed to pull out the sword, which lies in an old churchyard embedded into stone, the tournament will decide who will be king. For anyone who hasnt guessed yet this is based on the legend of King Arthur. The Wart literally stumbles upon Merlin as he falls through his roof and is very surprised to learn that Merlin has been waiting for him. Of course he is shocked and dismayed when Merlin announces that he should give up his squiring duties and get an education and when Wart goes back to the castle, Merlin tags along which is when the magic and fun start as he and his rather rude talking owl Archimedes move in. Thats when the fun starts as Merlin teaches him all the important lessons in life by looking at how other species cope - when Wart doesn't quite get the point he... Read review

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Advantages: well written
Disadvantages: sometimes difficult to follow for the pre teen readers

...Hank Morgan displays his knowledge of nineteenth century technology in King Arthur’s Court in this novel. He uses this knowledge to improve Arthurian society, protect himself and his followers, and enlighten many people. Hank is not convinced he traveled back in time to King Arthur’s Camelot. A blow to the head has brought him back to the year 528. Hank Morgan uses his nineteenth century knowledge of science immediately. He knows there will be a total eclipse of the sun in two days. Morgan is captured and cast into a dungeon. Hank urges his friend Clarence to tell everyone of his great magical powers. He wants the people to think he is a greater magician than Merlin. He threatens to block out the sun if he is not released. The simple people soon begin to accept Hank Morgan. He again uses his knowledge to surpass Merlin’s magic. He makes... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, good skilled service
Disadvantages: Nothing major

...Merlin Cycles is a bike shop based in Leyland, Lancashire but they also have an online shop. They are probably best known for building Custom Mountain bikes using there own branded frame s as well as Rocklobster Frames. When you first load up the site you are greeted with the option to look at: -Components -Wheels -Frames -Complete Bikes -Store (includes the above) If you go into the store you'll see a list of sub categories -Custom bikes (I'll get to those) -Wheels- excellent quality custom specified hand built wheels -Clothing -Disc Brakes -Forks (10% off when ordered online!) -Frames (Merlin, Rocklobster, mountain cycle and a few others) -Transmission- gears and chains etc. -Tyres -Lights -Sale items -Trainers -Accessories -Workshop (tools) -Saddles/posts -Child Seats and trailers -Hydration pack -Memory map -Car Racks -Shimano... Read review

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Advantages: A wonderful ending to a breath-taking series.
Disadvantages: It's not always a happy ending...

...the “camera” of the plot focuses on, it is not just Arthur, Arthur and Arthur. There is, of course, Merlin and Nimue, who represent the struggling influence of the Old Gods of the lands and who are frequently involved in reminding the reader that these were barbaric times. None of these people, though, not even Arthur are the main hero - the book is presented to you from the view, in fact, from the retelling of Derfel. If you have read either of the first two books in this series then you will know who Derfel is - otherwise, I just need to say that Derfel lived in Merlin’s home as a child and moved to Arthur’s armies. This book concludes stories of love and war, of personal tragedy and success. There is something for almost everyone in the trilogy. However, if you are likely to be disturbed by the sort of barbarisms of the dark ages then you might... Read review

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Advantages: Very Easy Listening
Disadvantages: A Little Repetitive

...Medwyn Goodall is one of my favourite composers of "new age" music. I find his music very relaxing and inspirational on the whole. Merlin is the second CD of a trilogy set. The first is Druid and the third is Excalibur (see my reviews of those too). The set is released on the New World Company label and is available in most new age shops or on their website www.newworldmusic.com and is also available on Amazon. The CD is approximately 43 minutes long and has seven tracks, as follows: Myrrdin Mystic Potions Tyntagyll Lady of the Lake The Sword Alchemy Druid's Return Throughout the CD the music flows very gently, washing over you in waves. There are no dramatic tempo or volume changes making it perfect for relaxing in the bath or meditation. It is also very good background music as it does not really grab your attention at any... Read review

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Advantages: Taste scrummy
Disadvantages: None

..., Doritos 3D, Walkers lights, Quavers, Doritos dippas, French fries, Squares and Footballs. *****THE ADVERTS***** Gary Lineker (who use to play football for a few teams) does the Walkers adverts and they are usually very funny. Walkers Snacks have teamed up with Merlin to create the Walkers Mini Merlin Premier League Sticker Collection. Mini Merlin football stickers are a smaller version of the original Merlin sticker. There are 80 different stickers to collect, and each one has been selected by Gary Lineker to create his chosen ‘SuperStars’ from the Premier League. The new Mini Merlin stickers can exclusively be found in special packets of Walkers snacks and will be available from 24 February for a total of 16 weeks. Walkers also have free books for schools tokens on the back of the packets. To find our more, visit their web site at www... Read review

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